1
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Mohanta Z, Gori S, McMahon MT. Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding Based CEST MRI Contrast Agents As an Emerging Design Strategy: A Mini-Review. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:27755-27765. [PMID: 38973929 PMCID: PMC11223143 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c02296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Intramolecular hydrogen bonding-based chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging (CEST MRI) contrast agents represent an innovative design strategy aiming to overcome limitations in diamagnetic CEST (diaCEST) MRI contrast agent specificity and also those associated with traditional metal-based MRI contrast agents. Ward and Balaban's proposal of small diamagnetic compounds marked a paradigm shift in contrast-based radiologic research, inspiring extensive investigations since 2000. These contrast agents leverage labile hydrogen bonds, serving as chemical exchange sites to induce saturation of water. The selective manipulation of radiofrequency (RF) allows for optimized signal contrast in soft tissue, with a significant signal amplification even at low probe concentrations, mitigating concerns about dose-dependent toxicities. This mini-review delves into the evolution of CEST MRI, its classification, and the strategic design principles of synthetic small molecules containing intramolecular hydrogen bonds. With a focus on applications and potential clinical relevance, the authors highlight the promising role of intramolecular hydrogen bonding-based CEST MRI in diverse medical contexts, especially renal imaging and pH mapping, paving the way for enhanced molecular imaging capabilities. Ongoing research endeavors aim to further optimize and expand the utility of these contrast agents, underscoring their transformative potential in clinical diagnostics and imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinia Mohanta
- Russell
H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- F.M.
Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Research Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Sadakatali Gori
- Center
for Translational Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-3678, United States
| | - Michael T. McMahon
- Russell
H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- F.M.
Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Research Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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2
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Knutsson L, Xu X, van Zijl PCM, Chan KWY. Imaging of sugar-based contrast agents using their hydroxyl proton exchange properties. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4784. [PMID: 35665547 PMCID: PMC9719573 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The ability of CEST MRI to detect the presence of millimolar concentrations of non-metallic contrast agents has made it possible to study, non-invasively, important biological molecules such as proteins and sugars, as well as drugs already approved for clinical use. Here, we review efforts to use sugar and sugar polymers as exogenous contrast agents, which is possible based on the exchange of their hydroxyl protons with water protons. While this capability has raised early enthusiasm, for instance about the possibility of imaging D-glucose metabolism with MRI in a way analogous to PET, experience over the past decade has shown that this is not trivial. On the other hand, many studies have confirmed the possibility of imaging a large variety of sugar analogues, each with potentially interesting applications to assess tissue physiology. Some promising applications are the study of (i) sugar delivery and transport to assess blood-brain barrier integrity and (ii) sugar uptake by cells for their characterization (e.g., cancer versus healthy), as well as (iii) clearance of sugars to assess tissue drainage-for instance, through the glymphatic system. To judge these opportunities and their challenges, especially in the clinic, it is necessary to understand the technical aspects of detecting the presence of rapidly exchanging protons through the water signal in MRI, especially as a function of magnetic field strength. We expect that novel approaches in terms of MRI detection (both saturation transfer and relaxation based), MRI data analysis, and sugar design will push this young field forward in the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Knutsson
- Department of Medical Radiation Physics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, US
| | - Xiang Xu
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Peter CM van Zijl
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, US
| | - Kannie WY Chan
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Hong Kong Centre for Cerebro-Cardiovascular Health Engineering, Hong Kong, China
- Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong
- City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen, China
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3
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Zakaria ABM, Huang Y, Coman D, Mishra SK, Mihailovic JM, Maritim S, Rojas-Quijano FA, Jurek P, Kiefer GE, Hyder F. Methylated tetra-amide derivatives of paramagnetic complexes for magnetic resonance biosensing with both BIRDS and CEST. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 35:e4687. [PMID: 34970801 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Paramagnetic agents that utilize two mechanisms to provide physiological information by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) are described. MRI with chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) takes advantage of the agent's exchangeable protons (e.g., -OH or -NHx , where 2 ≥ x ≥ 1) to create pH contrast. The agent's incorporation of non-exchangeable protons (e.g., -CHy , where 3 ≥ y ≥ 1) makes it possible to map tissue temperature and/or pH using an MRSI method called biosensor imaging of redundant deviation in shifts (BIRDS). Hybrid probes based upon 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate chelate (DOTA4- ) and its methylated analog (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-α, α', α″, α‴-tetramethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate, DOTMA4- ) were synthesized, and modified to create new tetra-amide chelates. Addition of several methyl groups per pendent arm of the symmetrical chelates, positioned proximally and distally to thulium ions (Tm3+ ), gave rise to favorable BIRDS properties (i.e., high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) from non-exchangeable methyl proton peaks) and CEST responsiveness (i.e., from amide exchangeable protons). Structures of the Tm3+ probes elucidate the influence of methyl group placement on sensor performance. An eight-coordinate geometry with high symmetry was observed for the complexes: Tm-L1 was based on DOTA4- , whereas Tm-L2 and Tm-L3 were based on DOTMA4- , where the latter contained an additional carboxylate at the distal end of each arm. The distance of Tm3+ from terminal methyl carbons is a key determinant for sustaining BIRDS temperature sensitivity without compromising CEST pH contrast; however, water solubility was influenced by introduction of hydrophobic methyl groups and hydrophilic carboxylate. Combined BIRDS and CEST detection of Tm-L2, which features two high-SNR methyl peaks and a strong amide CEST peak, should enable simultaneous temperature and pH measurements for high-resolution molecular imaging in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abul B M Zakaria
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yuegao Huang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Daniel Coman
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sandeep K Mishra
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jelena M Mihailovic
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Samuel Maritim
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | | | | | - Fahmeed Hyder
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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4
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Cai X, Zhang J, Lu J, Yi L, Han Z, Zhang S, Yang X, Liu G. N-Aryl Amides as Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents. Chemistry 2020; 26:11705-11709. [PMID: 32639618 PMCID: PMC10186200 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202002415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI has recently emerged as a versatile molecular imaging approach in which diamagnetic compounds can be utilized to generate an MRI signal. To expand the scope of CEST MRI applications, herein, we systematically investigated the CEST properties of N-aryl amides with different N-aromatic substitution, revealing their chemical shifts (4.6-5.8 ppm) and exchange rates (up to thousands s-1 ) are favorable to be used as CEST agents as compared to alkyl amides. As the first proof-of-concept study, we used CEST MRI to detect the enzymatic metabolism of the drug acebutolol directly by its intrinsic CEST signal without any chemical labeling. Our study implies that N-aryl amides may enable the label-free CEST MRI detection of the metabolism of many N-aryl amide-containing drugs and a variety of enzymes that act on N-aryl amides, greatly expanding the scope of CEST MR molecular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuekang Cai
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, 100034, Beijing, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites and Beijing Key Lab of Bioprocess, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, 100029, Beijing, P. R. China.,Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jia Zhang
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
| | - Jiaqi Lu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, USA
| | - Long Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites and Beijing Key Lab of Bioprocess, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15 Beisanhuan East Road, Chaoyang District, 100029, Beijing, P. R. China.,Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Han
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
| | - Shuixing Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, Guandong, P. R. China
| | - Xing Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, 100034, Beijing, P. R. China.,Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Guanshu Liu
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA
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5
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Zhang J, Han Z, Lu J, Li Y, Liao X, van Zijl PC, Yang X, Liu G. Triazoles as T 2 -Exchange Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents for the Detection of Nitrilase Activity. Chemistry 2018; 24:15013-15018. [PMID: 29989227 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201802663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
We characterized the T2 -exchange (T2ex ) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast of azole protons that have large chemical shifts from the water proton resonance as a function of pH, temperature, and chemical modification. Our results showed that 1,2,4-triazoles could be tuned into excellent diamagnetic T2ex contrast agents, with an optimal exchange-based relaxivity r2ex of 0.10 s-1 mm-1 at physiological pH and B0 =9.4 T. A fit of r2ex data to the Swift-Connick equation indicated that imino proton exchange of triazoles is dominated by a base-catalyzed process at higher pH values and an acid-catalyzed process at lower pH. The magnitude of r2ex was also found to be heavily dependent on chemical modifications, that is, enhanced by electron-donating groups, such as amines and methyls, or by intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the imino proton and the carboxyl, and weakened by electron-withdrawing groups like bromo, cyano, and nitro. In light of these findings, we applied T2ex MRI to assess the activity of nitrilase, an enzyme catalyzing the hydrolysis of 1,2,4-triazole-3-carbonitrile to 1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxylic acid, resulting in the enhancement of R2ex . Our findings suggest that 1,2,4-triazoles have potential to provide sensitive and tunable diagnostic probes for MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zhang
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Zheng Han
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jiaqi Lu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuguo Li
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Xuhe Liao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Peter C van Zijl
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Xing Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Guanshu Liu
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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6
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Zhang J, Li Y, Slania S, Yadav NN, Liu J, Wang R, Zhang J, Pomper MG, van Zijl PC, Yang X, Liu G. Phenols as Diamagnetic T 2 -Exchange Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents. Chemistry 2018; 24:1259-1263. [PMID: 29266443 PMCID: PMC5786484 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201705772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Although T2 -exchange (T2ex ) NMR phenomena have been known for decades, there has been a resurgence of interest to develop T2ex MRI contrast agents. One indispensable advantage of T2ex MR agents is the possibility of using non-toxic and/or bio-compatible diamagnetic compounds with intermediate exchangeable protons. Herein a library of phenol-based compounds is screened and their T2ex contrast (exchange relaxivity, r2ex ) at 9.4 T determined. The T2ex contrast of phenol protons allows direct detection by MRI at a millimolar concentration level. The effect of chemical modification of the phenol on the T2ex MRI contrast through modulation of exchange rate and chemical shift was also studied and provides a guideline for use of endogenous and exogenous phenols for T2ex MRI contrast. As a proof-of-principle application, phenol T2ex contrast can be used to detect enzyme activity in a tyrosinase-catalyzed catechol oxidation reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zhang
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuguo Li
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephanie Slania
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nirbhay N Yadav
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jing Liu
- Graduate College, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Rongfu Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Martin G Pomper
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Peter C van Zijl
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Xing Yang
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Guanshu Liu
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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7
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Zhang L, Martins AF, Mai Y, Zhao P, Funk AM, Clavijo Jordan MV, Zhang S, Chen W, Wu Y, Sherry AD. Imaging Extracellular Lactate In Vitro and In Vivo Using CEST MRI and a Paramagnetic Shift Reagent. Chemistry 2017; 23:1752-1756. [PMID: 27987233 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201604558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Revised: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Overproduction of lactate is a hallmark of cancer, yet a method to quantitatively measure lactate production by cancer cells is not straight-forward. Chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging (CEST MRI) can potentially be used to image lactate but the small difference in chemical shift of the lactate -OH proton and water proton resonances make it challenging. Like other spectroscopic methods, CEST MRI cannot discriminate intracellular lactate from extracellular lactate. Herein, we demonstrate a relatively simple way to shift the lactate -OH proton resonance far away from water by addition of the paramagnetic shift reagent, EuDO3A, while retaining the CEST properties of lactate itself. The potential of the method was demonstrated by imaging extracellular lactate excreted from lung cancer cells in tissue culture without interference from other components in the culture media and by imaging excess lactate excreted into the bladder of a mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - André F Martins
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Yuyan Mai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Piyu Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Alexander M Funk
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - M Veronica Clavijo Jordan
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Shanrong Zhang
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Yunkou Wu
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - A Dean Sherry
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.,Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
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8
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Fernández-Cuervo G, Sinharay S, Pagel MD. A CatalyCEST MRI Contrast Agent that Can Simultaneously Detect Two Enzyme Activities. Chembiochem 2016; 17:383-7. [PMID: 26693680 PMCID: PMC4814164 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The simultaneous detection of multiple enzyme activities can improve the specificity of disease diagnoses. We therefore synthesized and characterized a diamagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI contrast agent that can simultaneously detect two enzyme activities. Sulfatase and esterase enzymes cleave the ligands of the CEST agent, releasing salicylic acid that can be detected with CEST MRI. Importantly, both enzymes are required to activate the agent to produce a CEST MRI contrast, and the CEST agent was stable without enzyme treatment. These results established that this diamagnetic CEST MRI contrast agent is a platform technology with a modular design that can be potentially exploited to detect other combinations of enzyme activities, which can expand the armamentarium of contrast agents for molecular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Fernández-Cuervo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arizona, 1515 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Sanhita Sinharay
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, 1515 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Mark D Pagel
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Arizona, 1515 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA.
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9
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Li J, Feng X, Zhu W, Oskolkov N, Zhou T, Kim BK, Baig N, McMahon MT, Oldfield E. Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) Agents: Quantum Chemistry and MRI. Chemistry 2016; 22:264-71. [PMID: 26616530 PMCID: PMC4715718 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201503942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Diamagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) contrast agents offer an alternative to Gd(3+) -based contrast agents for MRI. They are characterized by containing protons that can rapidly exchange with water and it is advantageous to have these protons resonate in a spectral window that is far removed from water. Herein, we report the first results of DFT calculations of the (1) H nuclear magnetic shieldings in 41 CEST agents, finding that the experimental shifts can be well predicted (R(2) =0.882). We tested a subset of compounds with the best MRI properties for toxicity and for activity as uncouplers, then obtained mice kidney CEST MRI images for three of the most promising leads finding 16 (2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid) to be one of the most promising CEST MRI contrast agents to date. Overall, the results are of interest since they show that (1) H NMR shifts for CEST agents-charged species-can be well predicted, and that several leads have low toxicity and yield good in vivo MR images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jikun Li
- Department of Chemistry University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 600 South Mathews Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Xinxin Feng
- Department of Chemistry University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 600 South Mathews Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Chemistry University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 600 South Mathews Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Nikita Oskolkov
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 991 N. Broadway Baltimore, Maryland 21287 (USA)
| | - Tianhui Zhou
- Department of Chemistry University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 600 South Mathews Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Boo Kyung Kim
- Department of Chemistry University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 600 South Mathews Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Noman Baig
- Department of Chemistry University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 600 South Mathews Urbana, IL 61801 (USA)
| | - Michael T McMahon
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 991 N. Broadway Baltimore, Maryland 21287 (USA).
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA).
| | - Eric Oldfield
- Department of Chemistry University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 600 South Mathews Urbana, IL 61801 (USA).
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10
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Yang X, Yadav NN, Song X, Banerjee SR, Edelman H, Minn I, van Zijl PCM, Pomper MG, McMahon MT. Tuning phenols with Intra-Molecular bond Shifted HYdrogens (IM-SHY) as diaCEST MRI contrast agents. Chemistry 2014; 20:15824-32. [PMID: 25302635 PMCID: PMC4309366 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201403943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The optimal exchange properties for chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) contrast agents on 3 T clinical scanners were characterized using continuous wave saturation transfer, and it was demonstrated that the exchangeable protons in phenols can be tuned to reach these criteria through proper ring substitution. Systematic modification allows the chemical shift of the exchangeable protons to be positioned between 4.8 to 12 ppm from water and enables adjustment of the proton exchange rate to maximize CEST contrast at these shifts. In particular, 44 hydrogen-bonded phenols are investigated for their potential as CEST MRI contrast agents and the stereoelectronic effects on their CEST properties are summarized. Furthermore, a pair of compounds, 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid and 4,6-dihydroxyisophthalic acid, were identified which produce the highest sensitivity through incorporating two exchangeable protons per ring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Yang
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 991 N. Broadway Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA)
| | - Nirbhay N. Yadav
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 991 N. Broadway Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA)
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 N. Broadway Ave. Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA)
| | - Xiaolei Song
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 991 N. Broadway Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA)
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 N. Broadway Ave. Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA)
| | - Sangeeta Ray Banerjee
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 991 N. Broadway Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA)
| | - Hannah Edelman
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 991 N. Broadway Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA)
| | - Il Minn
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 991 N. Broadway Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA)
| | - Peter C. M. van Zijl
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 991 N. Broadway Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA)
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 N. Broadway Ave. Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA)
| | - Martin G. Pomper
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 991 N. Broadway Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA)
| | - Michael T. McMahon
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 991 N. Broadway Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA)
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 N. Broadway Ave. Baltimore, MD 21287 (USA)
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